Vasco settle on midfield trio, leaving Rojas' future in doubt | OneFootball

Coach Pedro Emanuel has solidified a tactical setup with three defensive midfielders at Vasco, which has resulted in attacking midfielder Rojas losing space in the team. The Colombian player stayed on the bench in three of the team’s last four matches, not coming on in the goalless draw against Bahia. A starter under Renato Gaúcho, the No. 10 has played just 167 minutes since the Portuguese coach arrived, averaging 41 minutes per match without any direct goal contributions.

The change in the player’s status within the squad is linked to the coach’s focus on adjusting the team’s positioning and defensive balance. The choice for a more intense midfield with stronger marking has secured a five-match unbeaten run, with two wins, three draws, and only one goal conceded in the last four games. During his debut against Vitória at Barradão, the Portuguese manager demanded greater intensity from the Colombian on the ball and in defensive recovery on several occasions.

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Defensive balance and minutes on the pitch

Since the match against Mirassol, the coach has focused training on positioning, defensive balance to track the opponent’s switches of play, and behavior in quick transitions.

Within this demanding system, Rojas only came on in the second half of the matches against Independiente Medellín, Mirassol, and Fluminense, remaining on the bench without playing any minutes in Vasco’s last two matches.

Contract details and uncertainty over his future at Vasco

Signed on a one-year loan from Mexico’s Monterrey after standing out for Colombia’s La Equidad, the 23-year-old has a contract until the end of 2026 with no initial fee charged to the Rio club. The deal includes a purchase option set at US$3.5 million (around R$18.9 million) for a permanent transfer at the end of the loan period.

Given his reduced role in Pedro Emanuel’s rotation, exercising that purchase clause and the player staying at São Januário now appear unlikely behind the scenes. The attacking midfielder is trying to take advantage of the packed schedule between the Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil, and Copa Sudamericana to regain minutes with the team.

Rojas took over Vasco’s No. 10 shirt after Philippe Coutinho’s departure – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.